Zimmer To Pay Millions In Infringement Lawsuit

A federal court jury in Grand Rapids, Mich., ruled this week that Warsaw-based Zimmer Holdings will pay $70 million plus damages and royalties totaling $63.7 million to Stryker for patent infringement.

On Tuesday, the jury found that Zimmer Holdings infringed three Stryker patents pertaining to its Pulsavac wound debridement system devices. According to Bloomberg.com, the jury also found the infringement was willful, meaning the judge in the case could increase the fine.

Stryker, based in Kalamazoo, Mich., filed the lawsuit in December 2010 claiming Zimmer’s Pulsavac Plus device infringed on three patents.

Bloomberg.com reports that Stryker said it is entitled to damages dating back to 2004. Zimmer counters that any compensation should be limited only to devices sold after December 2010. “The jury found that almost $255 million worth of Zimmer sales since the products were introduced infringed at least two of the patents,” reported Bloomberg.com.

Zimmer spokesman Garry Clark released this statement: “Zimmer is disappointed with the verdict and plans to pursue all available post-trial relief, including an appeal in due course.”

According to documents, the Pulsavac wound debridement system sold by Zimmer generated $386 million in sales in 2012. That equates to about 9 percent of the company’s total revenue.